HBO crime drama True Detective is unlikely to return for a third season, according to a new report.

After a critically acclaimed first season, staring Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey, the series received less favourable reviews for its second season prompting speculation about its future.

In a profile of HBO’s new programming head Casey Bloys, The Hollywood Reporter reports that the show’s fate might have already been decided.

According to HBO sources, the show’s creator Nic Pizzolatto will move on to an altogether new project instead. Last year, Pizzolatto inked a two-year deal with the television network. He has previously said that he couldn’t imagine making more than three seasons of the show.

True Detective Season 2 featured Colin Farrell, Rachel McAdams, Vince Vaughn, and Taylor Kitsch. Responding to its poor reception, HBO’s former head of programming Michael Lombardo acknowledged that the season had failed to live up to expectations.

Speaking to The Frame, he said: “Our biggest failures — and I don’t know if I would consider True Detective 2 — but when we tell somebody to hit an air date as opposed to allowing the writing to find its own natural resting place, when it’s ready, when it’s baked — we’ve failed.” (via NME)